Read Online Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel - Free Book Online

hoped was a placid countenance. “Will you come to your place?” She gestured toward the high table on its dais. “The food is laid to break your fast. I hope you will find it to your liking.”
    â€œAn’ I thank you,” he said, his answer remained as plain and courteous as her question. “The hospitality of this house is all that I was led to expect and I am grateful.”
    You have good reason to be.
Out of the corner of her eye, Lynet saw Peran’s men helping themselves from the kettles and settling down peaceably at the lower tables. Reassured, she led Peran to the high table. She filled his cups with cider and ale. Peran raised a cup politely to her, but watched her appraisingly over the rim as he drained it. Lynet felt a furious blush spread across her cheeks. Because of her part in the drama of Sir Tristan and Queen Iseult, she was no longer seen as an honorable maiden. She could be readily considered as something for any man’s taking, willing or no.
    Lynet set the cider jug down within Peran’s reach and returned to the kettles, pretending to concern herself with judging the amounts that remained within them.
    Before she could reach any decision, Mesek stumped into the hall. He too had his men with him, but, much to Lynet’s relief, Bishop Austell walked beside him, making companionable conversation that she could not hear over the rest of the voices in the hall.
    God bless you, Bishop.
Decorum and precedence meant she could seat the Bishop between the two chieftains, letting him take up the role of diplomat for the table. From the slight smile Bishop Austell gave her she saw that he understood this. She hoped he saw the silent “thank you,” she returned.
    â€œGod be with you, Lady Lynet,” boomed Mesek, tucking his calloused thumbs into his belt. “Are we in time, or are all the dainties gone?” He was watching some point over her shoulder, and she knew he must be looking toward Peran, already seated and served.
    The suggestion that their house was poor or miserly left a sour taste in Lynet’s mouth. “I regret our house has only humble fare to offer, Master Mesek,” she said. “But such plenty as the land can offer, we, by God’s blessing, may share with all our guests.”
    It was a stiff and overly-pious answer, and served only to make Mesek smile. With a wave he dispersed his men to their own meals. “And your brother, my young Lord Colan?” Mesek’s eyes turned to slits as he gazed about the hall. “He is not here yet?”
    â€œI fear some of our house may be late to rise after our feast day,” Bishop Austell said pleasantly, as steering Mesek to the table. “You must forgive us, Master.”
    â€œMust I?” Mesek cocked his brows at Lynet, ignoring that it was Austell who spoke. He sat in the chair she indicated, stretching out his arms and resting his hands on the table, so that he might claim possession of as much of the board as possible. Peran abandoned all pretense of paying attention to his food and drink and instead watched his enemy make himself comfortable. “Tell me, my Lady Lynet, what else must I forgive you?” Mesek went on.
    â€œI had not realized you’d taken holy orders, Master Mesek,” said the bishop before Mesek could go any farther. “Do you turn confessor for my lady?”
    â€œIt was the lady I spoke to, Bishop.” A warning note crept into Mesek’s voice.
    Where are you, Colan?
Lynet concentrated on filling Mesek’s mug with small beer. She suddenly felt very much in need of her brother’s easy smile and quick courtesy. “Have we offended, Master Mesek?”
    â€œOffended?” Mesek pushed his chair back, his air all mocking surprise. “Offended? When your brother offers justice with one hand and deals with my enemy from. the other? What perfect courtesy is that! Surely learned from that king of courtesy, Arthur